Official Race Report:- Asmer Takes Two Wins at Croft

Marko Asmer made it two wins from two races this weekend with victory in rounds eleven and twelve of the HarrrierZeuros UK Formula Ford Championship at Croft, North Yorkshire. The Estonian, who recently tested for the Williams Formula One team, took his double-win, his first victories in the series, despite heavy flu. Valle Makela from Finland followed Asmer home in both races, with Swede Alx Danielsson and Truro’s Joey Foster taking a third place apiece. James Walker made it a dominant weekend for the Team JLR outfit, matching teammate Asmer by taking both wins in the Scholarship Class.

Asmer took his first win in the championship in Saturday’s round eleven, leading all the way in the ten lap race. Finn Makela took second, Foster the first Briton home in third place despite problems with his car.

"I didn’t have to fight too hard as I got away at the start," said Asmer, who is in his first season of racing, "but I had to keep the gap to Makela, and make sure he didn’t get too close. There was a big smile in my crash helmet when I crossed the line. The win was even better as I have the flu! I’ll try for a second win tomorrow."

ComTec Racing’s Dan Clarke was initially second, but a spin at the chicane on the second lap saw him tour into the pits with a deranged wheel. From then on Makela chased Asmer’s Van Diemen race long, but without getting close enough to challenge.

"It was a good race," said Makela, "but Asmer had such a big gap on the first lap that I couldn’t get back with him. I was never under pressure from the cars behind; I was able to increase the gap on every lap."

Foster took third for Continental Racing after an epic battle with Danielsson in the closing laps. Tom Kimber-Smith had briefly claimed third on lap five, but lost ground in his Team JLR car. On more than one occasion Danielsson got his Ray alongside Foster’s car, but the Cornishman held on to claim the final podium berth.

"That was probably one of the toughest races I have ever driven," said Foster. "A couple of corners after the start the exhaust fell off, so I had no power at the end of the straight and had to be very defensive. I was side-by-side with Danielsson into the Esses at one point, but I wasn’t going to yield and he tucked in behind. I was pleased to hang on to third."

Walker took Scholarship victory, his fifth of the season, finishing just behind the battling Danielson and ahead of early season points leader Ben Clucas. Walker’s race hopes received a boost when class rival Jay Howard’s car had an oil leak on the grid and he was unable to start the race. Walker claimed fifth after starting ninth on the grid.

"That was an unexpected win," said Walker, from Team JLR. "After qualifying I was really disappointed, and just wanted to score lots of points for the championship. When I saw the oil on the grid, that gave me class pole, and I just had to keep out of trouble. I lost ground in the final laps as the cars in front were battling."

Asmer made it two wins from two races over the weekend with victory in round twelve on Sunday afternoon. Again Makela chased him home, while this time Danielsson went one place better and took third.

"A perfect weekend, but that win was more difficult than yesterday’s," said Asmer. "For the last few laps I wasn’t feeling good, and it was hard to concentrate. I had to pull myself together and get to the finish ok. I hope to take more wins now."

Makela was slow off the line at the start, Danielsson slipping past into second, but was back in pursuit of the leader two laps later after moving ahead of the Swede in his Nexa Racing Van Diemen. Danielsson ran close to Makela for several laps, but lost ground after clipping a tyre marker and damaging the steering of his Ray.

"I got a bad start," said 17-year-old Makela, "then got close to Asmer but couldn’t get past. He made a mistake near the end and I closed up, but then I made a mistake and could do nothing. I’m hoping for my first win at Snetterton."

"It’s good to be on the podium," said Danielsson, from the Ray Sport team. "I wanted to finish and score points, so stayed close to Makela, but I then nudged some tyres and it just bent my steering. Suddenly I had to look in my mirrors as Joey Foster was closing up. I was having to flick the car into the corners."

Foster was the first Briton home, taking fourth place, while Walker, like team-mate Asmer, took a double victory by claiming his second Scholarship Class win at Croft, the points moving him to the head of the points table, jumping ahead of long-time leader Stephen Jelley.

"I was disappointed not to get past Makela when he made a poor start," said Foster, from Truro. "He blocked me, and I’m disappointed not to be on the podium, but we have scored points and are right up there in the championship now."

"That was in a way the perfect race," said Walker, who finished fifth overall. "I wanted to stay out of trouble, and ran by myself for ten laps. It was very hot, and I had to work to keep my concentration. A really good weekend, the team have done a mega-job."